If you’re hoarding credit card points and wondering how to turn them into free flights and hotel stays, you’ve landed in the right place. Most people waste their points on mediocre redemptions, but the real value comes from transferring them to airline and hotel partners.
This guide breaks down every major bank rewards program, their transfer partners, and how to maximize your points. Whether you’re eyeing a first-class flight to Tokyo or a beachside resort in the Maldives, knowing where and how to transfer makes all the difference.
What You’ll Get From This Cheat Sheet:
- Every airline and hotel transfer partner listed in one place
- Transfer ratios and estimated transfer times
- Best ways to maximize redemptions (and avoid bad deals)
- Current transfer bonuses that can boost your rewards
Now, let’s break it all down and make sure you get the most out of your points.
How Credit Card Transfer Partners Work
So, what exactly is a transfer partner? If you’ve got a stash of points from Chase, Amex, Capital One, or Citi, you don’t have to settle for basic travel portals or (worse) cashback redemptions. Instead, you can convert those points into airline miles or hotel rewards.
Here’s how it works:
- Earn points through your credit card spending.
- Transfer them to a partner airline or hotel program.
- Redeem them for flights, upgrades, hotel stays, or even luxury experiences.
Why This Matters
Transferring points unlocks much better value than using them for statement credits or gift cards. For example:
- 100,000 Chase points = $1,000 in cash or a $2,500+ business-class flight when transferred to the right airline.
- 60,000 Amex points could get you a round-trip first-class ticket instead of a basic economy seat.
The key? Knowing which transfer partners give you the best bang for your buck.
Important Rules to Know Before Transferring
- No Do-Overs – Once you move points to an airline or hotel, you can’t transfer them back to your credit card.
- Transfer Times Vary – Some transfers are instant, while others can take days—not ideal if you’re trying to book a flight on the spot.
- Transfer Bonuses Exist – Banks often run limited-time bonuses (e.g., 30% more points when transferring to a specific airline). These can boost your rewards instantly if you time it right.
Now that you get the basics, let’s break down every major bank program and where you can transfer your points.
Bank Rewards Programs and Their Transfer Partners
Not all credit card points work the same. Some banks offer more transfer options, while others have better transfer ratios or faster processing times. Below is a breakdown of every major credit card rewards program, along with where you can transfer points, the transfer ratios, and estimated wait times.
Chase Ultimate Rewards Transfer Partners
Chase Ultimate Rewards is one of the most flexible programs, with instant transfers to most partners and strong airline and hotel options.
Airline Transfer Partners
| Airline | Transfer Ratio | Estimated Time |
|---|---|---|
| Aer Lingus (Avios) | 1:1 | Instant |
| Air Canada Aeroplan | 1:1 | Instant |
| Air France/KLM Flying Blue | 1:1 | Instant |
| British Airways (Avios) | 1:1 | Instant |
| Emirates Skywards | 1:1 | Instant |
| Iberia Plus (Avios) | 1:1 | Instant |
| JetBlue TrueBlue | 1:1 | Instant |
| Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer | 1:1 | 12-48 hours |
| Southwest Rapid Rewards | 1:1 | Instant |
| United MileagePlus | 1:1 | Instant |
| Virgin Atlantic Flying Club | 1:1 | Instant |
Hotel Transfer Partners
| Hotel Program | Transfer Ratio | Estimated Time |
|---|---|---|
| World of Hyatt | 1:1 | Instant |
| IHG One Rewards | 1:1 | 24 hours |
| Marriott Bonvoy | 1:1 | 24 hours |
American Express Membership Rewards Transfer Partners
American Express has the widest selection of transfer partners, but some transfers take longer than Chase.
Airline Transfer Partners
| Airline | Transfer Ratio | Estimated Time |
|---|---|---|
| Aer Lingus (Avios) | 1:1 | Instant |
| Air Canada Aeroplan | 1:1 | Instant |
| Air France/KLM Flying Blue | 1:1 | Instant |
| ANA Mileage Club | 1:1 | 2-3 days |
| Avianca LifeMiles | 1:1 | Instant |
| British Airways (Avios) | 1:1 | Instant |
| Cathay Pacific Asia Miles | 1:1 | 24-48 hours |
| Delta SkyMiles | 1:1 | Instant |
| Emirates Skywards | 1:1 | Instant |
| Etihad Guest | 1:1 | Instant-36 hours |
| Hawaiian Airlines | 1:1 | Instant |
| Iberia Plus (Avios) | 1:1 | 1-3 days |
| JetBlue TrueBlue | 1:0.8 | Instant |
| Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer | 1:1 | 12-48 hours |
| Virgin Atlantic Flying Club | 1:1 | Instant |
Hotel Transfer Partners
| Hotel Program | Transfer Ratio | Estimated Time |
|---|---|---|
| Hilton Honors | 1:2 | Instant |
| Marriott Bonvoy | 1:1 | 24 hours |
| Choice Privileges | 1:1 | Instant |
Capital One Miles Transfer Partners
Capital One used to be known for weak transfer partners, but they’ve improved significantly. Most transfers are instant and offer great value.
Airline Transfer Partners
| Airline | Transfer Ratio | Estimated Time |
|---|---|---|
| Air Canada Aeroplan | 1:1 | Instant |
| Air France/KLM Flying Blue | 1:1 | Instant |
| Avianca LifeMiles | 1:1 | Instant |
| British Airways (Avios) | 1:1 | Instant |
| Cathay Pacific Asia Miles | 1:1 | 24-48 hours |
| Emirates Skywards | 1:1 | Instant |
| Etihad Guest | 1:1 | Instant-36 hours |
| EVA Air Infinity MileageLands | 2:1.5 | 24-48 hours |
| Qantas Frequent Flyer | 1:1 | Instant |
| Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer | 1:1 | 12-48 hours |
| TAP Air Portugal Miles&Go | 1:1 | Instant |
| Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles | 1:1 | Instant |
| Virgin Atlantic Flying Club | 1:1 | Instant |
Hotel Transfer Partners
| Hotel Program | Transfer Ratio | Estimated Time |
|---|---|---|
| Accor Live Limitless | 2:1 | 24-36 hours |
| Choice Privileges | 1:1 | Instant |
| Wyndham Rewards | 1:1 | Instant |
Citi ThankYou Points Transfer Partners
Citi ThankYou Points often fly under the radar, but they have some valuable airline transfer options.
Airline Transfer Partners
| Airline | Transfer Ratio | Estimated Time |
|---|---|---|
| Aeromexico Rewards | 1:1 | 1-7 days |
| Air France/KLM Flying Blue | 1:1 | Instant |
| Avianca LifeMiles | 1:1 | Instant |
| Cathay Pacific Asia Miles | 1:1 | 24-48 hours |
| Emirates Skywards | 1:1 | Instant |
| Etihad Guest | 1:1 | Instant-36 hours |
| EVA Air Infinity MileageLands | 2:1.5 | 24-48 hours |
| JetBlue TrueBlue | 1:1 | Instant |
| Qantas Frequent Flyer | 1:1 | Instant |
| Qatar Privilege Club (Avios) | 1:1 | 48 hours |
| Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer | 1:1 | 12-48 hours |
| Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus | 1:1 | 24-48 hours |
| Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles | 1:1 | Instant |
| Virgin Atlantic Flying Club | 1:1 | Instant |
Hotel Transfer Partners
| Hotel Program | Transfer Ratio | Estimated Time |
|---|---|---|
| Choice Privileges | 1:2 | Instant |
| Wyndham Rewards | 1:1 | Instant |
Bilt Rewards Transfer Partners
Bilt is the only program that lets you earn points on rent payments while still offering strong transfer partners. If you’re a renter, this is a must-have program for travel rewards.
Airline Transfer Partners
| Airline | Transfer Ratio | Estimated Time |
|---|---|---|
| Aer Lingus (Avios) | 1:1 | Instant |
| Air Canada Aeroplan | 1:1 | Instant |
| Air France/KLM Flying Blue | 1:1 | Instant |
| American Airlines AAdvantage | 1:1 | Instant |
| British Airways (Avios) | 1:1 | Instant |
| Cathay Pacific Asia Miles | 1:1 | 24-48 hours |
| Emirates Skywards | 1:1 | Instant |
| Hawaiian Airlines | 1:1 | Instant |
| Iberia Plus (Avios) | 1:1 | Instant |
| Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles | 1:1 | Instant |
| Virgin Atlantic Flying Club | 1:1 | Instant |
Hotel Transfer Partners
| Hotel Program | Transfer Ratio | Estimated Time |
|---|---|---|
| World of Hyatt | 1:1 | Instant |
Current Transfer Bonuses (How to Get Extra Value)
Transfer bonuses are special promotions where banks offer additional points or miles when you transfer your credit card rewards to specific airline or hotel loyalty programs. These bonuses typically range from 20% to 40%, allowing you to receive more miles or points than the standard transfer rate.
Example:
- Chase Ultimate Rewards to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club: A 30% transfer bonus means that transferring 50,000 Chase points would yield 65,000 Virgin Points instead of the usual 50,000.
Recent Transfer Bonus Examples
While transfer bonuses are time-sensitive and subject to change, here are some examples of past promotions:
| Bank Program | Transfer Partner | Bonus % |
|---|---|---|
| Amex Membership Rewards | Air Canada Aeroplan | 25% |
| Amex Membership Rewards | British Airways Avios | 30% |
| Chase Ultimate Rewards | Air France/KLM Flying Blue | 25% |
| Citi ThankYou Points | Avianca LifeMiles | 20% |
| Capital One Miles | Virgin Atlantic Flying Club | 30% |
To capitalize on these opportunities, it’s essential to stay updated on current and upcoming transfer bonuses:
- Official Bank Websites: Regularly check the rewards portal of your credit card issuer for announcements on active transfer bonuses.
- Credit Card Dashboards: Log in to your credit card account and navigate to the rewards or transfer section to view any active bonuses.
Strategic Tips for Utilizing Transfer Bonuses
- Have a Redemption Plan: Only transfer points when you have a specific redemption in mind. This ensures that your transferred points are used effectively and reduces the risk of devaluation.
- Monitor Award Availability: Before transferring, verify that the airline or hotel has award availability for your desired dates and destinations.
- Stack Promotions: Combine transfer bonuses with existing airline or hotel sales for maximum value. For example, if an airline offers discounted award flights, using a transfer bonus can lead to substantial savings.
- Be Cautious with Speculative Transfers: Avoid transferring points without a clear plan, as loyalty programs can change their award charts, leading to potential devaluation of your points.
How to Maximize Transfers for Travel
Credit card points are great, but not all transfers are created equal. Some programs offer premium flights for fewer points, while others charge way too much for a bad redemption. Knowing where to transfer your points can mean the difference between flying first class to Europe or burning your rewards on an overpriced economy seat.
Let’s break down the best transfer strategies for flights and hotels—and what to avoid.
The Best Programs for First-Class and Business-Class Flights
If you’re looking to fly in style, some transfer programs offer far better redemptions than others. Here are some of the best ways to use your points for luxury travel.
Best for International First & Business Class
| Airline Program | Best Use of Points | Transfer Partners |
|---|---|---|
| Virgin Atlantic Flying Club | ANA First Class (Japan) for 60,000–75,000 miles one way | Amex, Chase, Citi, Capital One |
| Air Canada Aeroplan | Business class to Europe for 55,000–70,000 miles | Amex, Chase, Capital One, Bilt |
| Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles | U.S. to Europe business class for 45,000 miles | Citi, Bilt |
| Avianca LifeMiles | Star Alliance business class for fewer miles than United | Amex, Citi, Capital One |
| Qatar Airways Avios | Qsuites business class to the Middle East for 70,000 miles | Amex, Citi, Capital One, Bilt |
| Flying Blue (Air France/KLM) | Monthly Promo Rewards (Europe for as low as 12,000 miles) | Amex, Chase, Citi, Capital One, Bilt |
These programs often require fewer points than booking through U.S. airlines like United, Delta, or American Airlines.
Example:
- United charges 88,000 miles for business class to Europe.
- Turkish Airlines charges just 45,000 miles for the same flight on a Star Alliance partner (like Lufthansa or Swiss).
- Same flight, half the points.
Always check partner airline programs before transferring your points.
When Hotel Transfers Make Sense (And When They Don’t)
Hotel transfers aren’t always the best deal, but in some cases, they can work in your favor.
Good Hotel Transfers (When It’s Worth It)
- Hyatt (1:1 from Chase or Bilt) – Consistently the best hotel transfer option.
- Marriott (1:1 from Amex, Chase, Citi) – Occasionally makes sense for luxury properties (St. Regis, Ritz-Carlton).
- Choice Privileges (1:2 from Citi) – Can be useful in Europe, where points stretch further.
Bad Hotel Transfers (Avoid These)
- Hilton (1:2 from Amex) – Hilton points aren’t worth much, so even a 2:1 transfer ratio isn’t great.
- IHG (1:1 from Chase) – IHG properties often require too many points, making transfers a bad deal.
- Wyndham (1:1 from Citi & Capital One) – Not always bad, but redemptions are inconsistent.
When to Transfer to Hotels
✅ If you find a Hyatt sweet spot (e.g., 25,000 points for a $1,000+ luxury hotel).
✅ If you don’t need flights and want to cover hotel stays instead.
✅ If you have extra points that would otherwise expire.
When NOT to Transfer to Hotels
❌ If you could use those points for a much more valuable flight redemption.
❌ If you don’t have a specific hotel booking in mind (hotel points devalue fast).
❌ If the cash price of the hotel is too low to justify using points.
Avoiding Bad Redemptions and Transfer Mistakes
Even experienced travelers make mistakes when transferring points. Here are some of the most common pitfalls—and how to avoid them.
Mistake #1: Transferring Without a Plan
- Why it’s bad: Once points are transferred, they’re stuck in that program. If award space disappears, you might be stuck with useless miles.
- What to do instead: Find the award seat first, then transfer your points.
Mistake #2: Ignoring Transfer Times
- Why it’s bad: Some transfers are instant, but others (like Singapore KrisFlyer or Marriott) can take days. If a deal disappears before your points arrive, you’re out of luck.
- What to do instead: Know how long transfers take before moving points.
Mistake #3: Overpaying for Flights
- Why it’s bad: Some programs charge way too many miles for flights. Delta, for example, has no award chart—some flights cost 300,000+ miles round trip.
- What to do instead: Always compare multiple airline programs before booking.
Mistake #4: Forgetting About Partner Bookings
- Why it’s bad: Just because you want to fly United doesn’t mean you should transfer to United MileagePlus. Sometimes, partners like Aeroplan or Turkish Airlines offer the same flights for half the price.
- What to do instead: Always check partner airlines for better deals.
Mistake #5: Transferring Just Because There’s a Bonus
- Why it’s bad: A 30% bonus sounds great, but if you don’t have a use for the miles, they could expire or lose value.
- What to do instead: Transfer only when you have a redemption lined up.
Maximize Every Transfer, Every Time
By now, you know that credit card points are only as valuable as the way you use them. Transferring them to airlines and hotels is the key to getting the most value, but only if you do it right.
Quick Recap:
- Transfer partners = more value – Using points for statement credits or gift cards is a waste compared to airline and hotel transfers.
- Plan before transferring – Once you move your points, there’s no going back, so always confirm award availability first.
- Check for bonuses – A 20–40% transfer bonus can stretch your points further and make luxury redemptions even cheaper.
What to Do Next:
- Track your favorite airlines and hotel programs to see where you can get the best redemptions.
- Stay updated on transfer bonuses to boost your rewards instantly.
- Make sure you have a redemption plan before transferring—don’t let your points go to waste.
Smart travelers don’t just earn points—they use them wisely. Now that you’ve got the full cheat sheet, it’s time to start strategizing and make every point count.
